It seems that Nob Hill, which I thought to be the core constituency for this web site, is the villain in this particular Route 66 controversy. I'm very disappointed to see that there is not a solid effort to turn Central into a national showpiece, a "must see" for every east-west (and vice versa) traveler on I-40, akin to snaking through the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert when you are going through Arizona on I-40. Unlike Arizona's stone wilderness, however, Albuquerque and Route 66 has much more variety and more appealing places to see: diners, motels (beds!), museums, hiking trails. Day tours starting from along central up and down the Rio could be a means of building the local economy, taking advantage of that other great highway, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, with jaunts to places like Coronado State Monument. Properly promoted it could hold a tourist for a week. Is there not a core of business owners and CEO's along this route who could turn Albuquerque's economy around in a short period of time. Can't city government and the private sector do something (anything) to make this work. I could tick off a hundred things that could be done off the top of my head and a 1950s neon jungle along central would be at the top of the list. This is not rocket science. Hasn't anyone from NM ever enjoyed San Antonio's, (the one in Texas) riverwalk? Adelante, Adelita. Ayudame.

A guy cuts down a tree and Nob Hill denizens go nuclear. A different business puts the squeeze on (now sub-) minimum wage servers and so far only silence. I guess the servers can take solace in the fact that the savings on their wages will pay to install the neon sign.

I refuse to go to Route 66 Malt Shop. When they were in Old Town area, the one time I went there, place was filthy with roaches all over the floor. Based on that alone, I never went back. Good to know I have another reason never to go bacl. I'm with you on this one Hunter, where's the outrage?!

Department of Labor sounds better. Who made up Department of Workforce Solutions sounds like a tacky temp company ? Paying workers a fair wage works out long term. Maybe some business have a bad business model and sould go out of business ? You sould not feel like a blood donor on a job. Or that you are doing them a low paid favor.

If you're talking about the Rt 66 Malt Shop I think you're barking up the wrong tree, Izquierdo. This guy's business is doing fine and he attracts lots of customers...he was vocal in his opposition to the minimum wage ordinance before it was passed and this is just him taking his anger about it out on his employees. I think Kenny is right that his business may now start suffering, though...I will certainly not support a business owner who breaks the law by stiffing his own employees.

Hunter, I'm outraged. I now have yet another reason to not go to Mr. Szeman's business. The first and last time I went there I saw no roaches, but I did see a giant sign on the front register that said "One Big Ass Mistake America," and another sign that said something offensive about Obama. While I realize this business owner has a right to express his opinions, I made the choice to not frequent his business. I just don't think it's a sign of a good business owner to actively try to offend his or her clientele.

Maybe Mr. Szeman should be targeted by picketers protesting his policies? But he's no different, really, than the jerks who own Papa Johns, Jimmy Johns and other companies, who have made the statement that they will cut employees back to part time to avoid paying health care. Jerks. The lot of them.

Not only is the charming Mr. Szeman refusing to pay the minimum wage, but he is forcing his employees to sign a contract that they agree to accept a lower wage if they wish to continue to have a job at his establishment. Now, I am not an attorney, but this seems to be an invalid contract, seeing as it involves extortion at the heart of it (you sign this or get fired). Also, I am not sure you can force someone to sign a contract for an illegal act. But then, the city refuses to enforce the law, so I suppose there's some wiggle room on that.